Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter system is disclosed which includes a catheter having an exhaust lumen, an infusion lumen and a high pressure tube. The high pressure tube includes a nozzle orifice for forming a high pressure jet of fluid for cutting occlusive material from within a body lumen. The nozzle orifice is positioned to direct the high pressure jet of fluid into the distal end of the exhaust lumen which creates a suctioning effect. The infusion lumen replaces fluid that is removed from the body lumen through the exhaust lumen by a suctioning effect created by the fluid jet.

Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.

Abstract: A microfluidic product pouch assembly may be used in a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic product pouch may include a pouch surrounding an inner chamber and having a rupturing portion and an inner membrane positioned within the inner chamber. The inner membrane may separate the inner chamber into a first cavity and a second cavity. A reagent may be positioned within the first cavity and/or the second cavity. The microfluidic product pouch assembly may also include a rupturing structure. The rupturing structure may be configured to selectively break the rupturing portion of the microfluidic product pouch.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter system is disclosed which includes a catheter having an exhaust lumen, an infusion lumen and a high pressure tube. The high pressure tube includes a nozzle orifice for forming a high pressure jet of fluid for cutting occlusive material from within a body lumen. The nozzle orifice is positioned to direct the high pressure jet of fluid into the distal end of the exhaust lumen which creates a suctioning effect. The infusion lumen replaces fluid that is removed from the body lumen through the exhaust lumen by a suctioning effect created by the fluid jet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: Microfluidic chips may include one or more microfluidic elements and one or more channels providing fluid communication throughout the microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chips may also include an identifier for identifying a predetermined configuration of the one or more microfluidic elements and the one or more channels from a set of predetermined different configurations of the one or more microfluidic elements and the one or more channels.

Abstract: A vascular compression system includes a compression garment and a controller for compressing a body part of a person. In some embodiments, the compression garment is a foot cuff or a leg sleeve. The controller inflates compression garment apparatus includes a compression garment and a pressurizer. The pressurizer has instructions for executing cyclic compression cycles for applying intermittent compression therapy to the body part. Each compression cycle includes an inflation phase and a vent phase. At least one of the inflation phases includes a pre-fill step and a therapeutic step. In the pre-fill step, gas pressure in the inflatable chamber may be increased at a reduced rate, and in the therapeutic step, the gas pressure in the inflatable chamber may be increased at a rapid rate.

Abstract: An optical system for acquiring fast spectra from spatially channel arrays includes a light source for producing a light beam that passes through the microfluidic chip or the channel to be monitored, one or more lenses or optical fibers for capturing the light from the light source after interaction with the particles or chemicals in the microfluidic channels, and one or more detectors. The detectors, which may include light amplifying elements, detect each light signal and transducer the light signal into an electronic signal. The electronic signals, each representing the intensity of an optical signal, pass from each detector to an electronic data acquisition system for analysis. The light amplifying element or elements may comprise an array of phototubes, a multianode phototube, or a multichannel plate based image intensifier coupled to an array of photodiode detectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated tubular body including a first wall and second wall defining first and second lumens, respectively. Each wall extends to a distal end and defines a distal opening. The first and second walls may each include one or more side openings disposed proximal of the distal end. The first and second lumens are separated by a septum. The septum includes a septum extension extending distally from the septum. The septum extension is adapted to articulate relative to the septum in response to fluid flow into and out of the distal openings of the first and second lumens. The septum extension is dimensioned to partially obstruct fluid flow into the catheter through one of the distal openings upon the articulation of the septum extension.

Abstract: A monopolar electrosurgical apparatus is disclosed which includes a tissue removal device having electrical, mechanical and chemical tissue removal capabilities. The device can be operated to use any of its tissue removal capabilities alone or in combination with one or more of the other capabilities.

Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.

Abstract: An optical system for acquiring fast spectra from spatially channel arrays includes a light source for producing a light beam that passes through the microfluidic chip or the channel to be monitored, one or more lenses or optical fibers for capturing the light from the light source after interaction with the particles or chemicals in the microfluidic channels, and one or more detectors. The detectors, which may include light amplifying elements, detect each light signal and transducer the light signal into an electronic signal. The electronic signals, each representing the intensity of an optical signal, pass from each detector to an electronic data acquisition system for analysis. The light amplifying element or elements may comprise an array of phototubes, a multianode phototube, or a multichannel plate based image intensifier coupled to an array of photodiode detectors.

Abstract: An inter dialytic monitoring device is disclosed which monitors in vivo preselected parameters of blood content during an inter dialytic period to monitor patient health. The monitoring device is configured to extend through and releasably engage a catheter which has been placed within a patient to monitor a patient's blood. A sensor is provided to detect the presence of selected analytes and to identify when preselected parameters have been reached.

Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A compression garment apparatus includes a compression garment and a pressurizer. The pressurizer intermittently pressurizes a therapeutic bladder on the compression garment and pressurizes a support bladder on the compression garment to enhance the fit of the compression garment and maintain the therapeutic bladder in position with respect to a target compression zone on a body part on which the garment is worn. The support bladder may be selectively pressurized when needed based at least in part on sensed physical characteristics.